I've thought about this but urrghghhhh I've cut myself pretty bad with razorblades in the past (not my face, just accidentally mishandling a blade, I stepped on one once)

Also I've peeled way too many potatoes to want to put a single sharp blade near my face.

I use the gillette blades with like the set of 3, and it's not ideal to be honest, it usually takes two runs (shave downwards first time, then shave up to get baby's arse smooth) and I get razor burn like a biiiitch.

I might go down to the double razor safety blades, but I don't think I can get down to one because it makes me cringe so fucking hard.

You can't really cut yourself that much with a DE, after-all they are also known as "Safety Razors". If you're apprehensive about getting cut, just get a mild DE like an Edwin Jagger. Either way you can skip altogether the annoying razor burn by going DE.

I'm really glad I found this thread. I've been shaving with awful BIC-like razors, you know, the kind you have to throw away after one shave, for years. I think I'm going to invest in some proper shaving gear since almost every time I shave, my face is bleeding because of the shitey blades and irritating shaving cream. I have a pretty sensitive skin and the occasional acne isn't helping either. Thanks for this, OP.

I too shaved today with my new Merkur! It was definitely the closest shave I've ever had so far. I nicked myself on my chin, my lip, and on some acne a little, but over-all it was pretty good and I'm really looking forward to getting used to this.
The Proraso cream had a particularly strong smell, but it definitely added to the whole experience.
I never thought I'd look forward to shaving, but now I have a reason to. Thank you for this thread and information!

I'm really glad I found this thread. I've been shaving with awful BIC-like razors, you know, the kind you have to throw away after one shave, for years. I think I'm going to invest in some proper shaving gear since almost every time I shave, my face is bleeding because of the shitey blades and irritating shaving cream. I have a pretty sensitive skin and the occasional acne isn't helping either. Thanks for this, OP.

Np, I think a lot of us have gotten our start in wetshaving from being dissatisfied with what we used before.

I too shaved today with my new Merkur! It was definitely the closest shave I've ever had so far. I nicked myself on my chin, my lip, and on some acne a little, but over-all it was pretty good and I'm really looking forward to getting used to this.
The Proraso cream had a particularly strong smell, but it definitely added to the whole experience.
I never thought I'd look forward to shaving, but now I have a reason to. Thank you for this thread and information!

Did you apply any pressure, that's usually the culprit for nicks. Think of the razor as a paintbrush, you want it to make contact with your face ever-so-lightly.

Did you apply any pressure, that's usually the culprit for nicks. Think of the razor as a paintbrush, you want it to make contact with your face ever-so-lightly.

I tried not to, I tried to be light, I'm still getting used to it. At some points I felt like it needed a little bit, but I was mostly trying to correct the angle so that the razor would hit the hairs properly.

I tried not to, I tried to be light, I'm still getting used to it. At some points I felt like it needed a little bit, but I was mostly trying to correct the angle so that the razor would hit the hairs properly.

Yeah, it simply takes some time to get used to it. The best part for me was knowing that my shaves were only getting better and better. Now-a-days I'm getting 9/10 shaves everyday.

-unrelated-

I'd like to upgrade past my 8 dollar brush, with a Simpsons Brush. They're supposed to be the Cadillac of brushes.

The problem is that they're expensive as hell, the one I linked is 250 dollars and they're sold-out in all the places I looked so it means hoards of people are actually buying them.

Yeah, it simply takes some time to get used to it. The best part for me was knowing that my shaves were only getting better and better. Now-a-days I'm getting 9/10 shaves everyday.

I'd like to upgrade past my 8 dollar brush, with a Simpsons Brush. They're supposed to be the Cadillac of brushes.

The problem is that they're expensive as hell, the one I linked is 250 dollars and they're sold-out in all the places I looked so it means hoards of people are actually buying them.

I could imagine how that would be, this does feel a lot different in comparison to consumer razors. It actually feels like it takes skill and finesse rather than just zipping it all off too quickly to care.

That looks like a pretty nice brush, I could imagine they're expensive.

Soak your hair first, hot towel or just in the shower, apply some moisturiser to your beard then shave the problem parts last, the heat and moisturiser should soften the hair enough. If not, try with the grain then across the grain before going against, taking off too much at once can fuck your skin up

Edited:

A good badger brush would cost you more than 10 bucks, boar bristle ain't worth shit IMO

Holy shit thank you, it worked and I feel amazing now. Only instead of a towel I just soaked my face in the warm shower water for a minute.

I just went to a small shop and bought my first Merkur 33C and first wet shaving 'kit' of sorts with a badger hair brush and a Proraso cream. Oh - my - what. It's the best shave I've ever had. Didn't but myself once in the first go, made sure not to kill myself when I went close to the jugular, either. Got a little too cocky second time around and left a small cut on my right jawline but this is still the best way to shave ever. I feel really good afterwards and I'm totally pumped for the day!

It's a way for men to really make an effort with their appearance without any potential "feminine" assumptions, and a close shave shows careful attention to detail and hygiene which rarely goes unnoticed.

I've had my treat blades, name-less handle and cheap foam for about two weeks now (~£10 shaving kit) and for the price, I'm very surprised at how good of a shave I'm getting, it's faster and much more enjoyable over the electric razer, no more razor burn, I've cut myself a few times now but nothing more than a slight nick that produces no more than a drop of blood.

I can't imagine how good of a shave you can get with reputable blades and cream, I'll invest in a better brush and cream in the coming future, then move to feather blades, but I'm happy thus, cheers Lamar.

I just had the best shave of my life! My stuff arrived today and I decided to try it out, the blade itself doesn't pull or irritate. I did nick myself quite a few times (mostly minor that didn't bleed much), and the soap burns it a bit. But that's okay, it's not nearly as bad as cartridge blades.

I've had my treat blades, name-less handle and cheap foam for about two weeks now (~£10 shaving kit) and for the price, I'm very surprised at how good of a shave I'm getting, it's faster and much more enjoyable over the electric razer, no more razor burn, I've cut myself a few times now but nothing more than a slight nick that produces no more than a drop of blood.

I can't imagine how good of a shave you can get with reputable blades and cream, I'll invest in a better brush and cream in the coming future, then move to feather blades, but I'm happy thus, cheers Lamar.

I'm glad you're getting good shaves with the stuff you have so far now. Those treet blades must be better than I originally thought and like you said it'll probably even get better once you try Feathers or any higher-end blade. Better cream and a brush will definitely make a difference as well. Speaking of brushes, I ordered a Shavemac 177 Silvertip which ought to be a really nice one. I'm going to leave an update on my take of silvertip brushes in the next couple of days.

In unrelated news, I gave my older brother who returned home from lawschool my old DE and some feather blades. The guy shaved everyday for the past 3 years using only 4 fusion cartridge blades.. I don't even know how someone can persevere through something like that. He really liked the DE and feather blade for his first shave with it today, but I forgot to give him the memo that you're not supposed to apply any pressure with the blades. He got a really close shave indeed..

So how's the closeness of the shave as opposed to something like a Wilkinson Sword Quattro?
Might get one of the double edged safety ones next time I'm in the chemists.

Generally closer, but you need the finesse to do it. First couple of shaves probably won't be closer, but it looks like a lot of new DE shavers here are posting otherwise. I can't really relate from personal experience since it's been a while since I used a cartridge razor.